Abstract: A liquid crystal display device having first and second substrates with a liquid crystal layer therebetween, a plurality of gate signal lines made of metal and a plurality of drain signal lines made of metal, a plurality of counter voltage signal lines, a plurality of pixel regions defined by neighboring gate signal lines and drain signal lines and a pixel electrode formed on first substrate in each pixel region. The pixel electrode and the counter voltage signal lines have an overlapping region, and an edge of the pixel electrode which extends in parallel to the drain signal line shifts to inside of the pixel region at the overlapping region as compared to the edge of the pixel electrode at a non-overlapping region.

Abstract: A laser beam is selectively directed to an amorphous silicon film of a pixel portion on an active-matrix substrate of a display device to modify the amorphous silicon film into a polysilicon film. Pixel circuits such as thin film transistors are formed on the modified polysilicon film. Thus, it is possible to realize remarkably economically the display device provided with the active-matrix substrate having the high performance thin film transistor circuits.

Abstract: A display device has an array 40 of pixels and row and column driver circuitry comprising row driver circuit portions R and column driver circuit portions C, each pixel being addressed by a row driver circuit portion R and a column driver circuit portion C which connect to respective row and column conductor lines. The array of pixels has a non-rectangular outer shape, and the device comprises at least three row driver circuit portions R and at least three column driver circuit portions C disposed alternately around the outer periphery of the array. This arrangement enables row and column drivers to be divided into portions which are arranged in such a way that addressing can be provided for complicated display shapes.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device includes forming a thin film transistor array on an active area of a first substrate, forming a color filter layer and a black matrix layer on a second substrate, forming a sealant along a peripheral portion of the second substrate, bonding the first and second substrates, and hardening the sealant by exposure to light, wherein the black matrix layer and the sealant are offset and do not overlap each other.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes first substrate having an active region and a non-active region along a peripheral portion of the active region, a second substrate facing and spaced apart from the first substrate, and having an active region and a non-active region along a peripheral portion of the active region, a seal pattern between the first and second substrates disposed along a border of the active and non-active regions, a gate line on an interior surface of the first substrate and crossing the seal pattern, a data line crossing the gate line and the seal pattern, a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, a common electrode on an interior surface of the second surface, a first step-compensating pattern adjacent to the seal pattern and the gate line, a second step-compensating pattern adjacent to the seal pattern and the data line, and a liquid crystal material layer between the pixel electrode and the common el

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes first and second substrates, a fence, a liquid crystal layer and a plurality of spacers. The first substrate includes a display region for displaying an image. The second substrate faces the first substrate. The fence is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The fence surrounds the display. The spacers maintain the distance between the first and second substrates. The spacers have a gradually increasing compression ratio in a direction from a center of the display region to an edge of the display region. The liquid crystal display apparatus maintains a uniform cell gap, even though a compressive stress of a center portion of the liquid crystal display apparatus is different with a compressive stress of an edge portion of the liquid crystal display apparatus. Therefore, display quality is enhanced.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a) a sapphire substrate; b) a single crystal silicon structure disposed on the sapphire substrate to create a silicon-on-sapphire structure; c) a plurality of liquid crystal capacitors disposed on the silicon-on-sapphire structure; d) integrated self-aligned circuitry formed from the crystal silicon structure, where the circuitry modulates the liquid crystal capacitors such that a video image is generated; and e) an integrated audio transducer disposed on the silicon-on-sapphire structure for generating an audible signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display capable of obtaining a high-quality image without creating flicker and ghost image phenomenon even if Vcom is adjusted, by minimizing variation of refractive index and dielectric constant depending on a temperature through maintaining a liquid crystal layer at a constant temperature. The liquid crystal display comprises a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, an overcoat layer formed on the second substrate, a black matrix layer of a matrix shape formed on the overcoat layer, an ITO layer formed on the black matrix layer, a metal layer formed on the ITO layer, which is formed on the black matrix layer, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: An efficient technique for producing deterministically polarized single photons uses liquid-crystal hosts of either monomeric or oligomeric/polymeric form to preferentially align the single emitters for maximum excitation efficiency. Deterministic molecular alignment also provides deterministically polarized output photons; using planar-aligned cholesteric liquid crystal hosts as 1-D photonic-band-gap microcavities tunable to the emitter fluorescence band to increase source efficiency, using liquid crystal technology to prevent emitter bleaching. Emitters comprise soluble dyes, inorganic nanocrystals or trivalent rare-earth chelates.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first substrate; a second substrate provided so as to face the first substrate; a vertical alignment type liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; a plurality of pixel areas each including a first electrode provided on the first substrate, a second electrode provided on the second substrate, and the liquid crystal layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a wall structure regularly arranged on a surface of the first electrode closer to the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer, when being provided with at least a prescribed voltage, forms at least one liquid crystal domain exhibiting a radially inclined orientation in an area substantially surrounded by the wall structure.

Abstract: A dynamic gain equalizer (1) comprises a spectroscope (4) for separating a light entering from an incoming end, a liquid crystal optical switch (5) for receiving spectral components separated by the spectroscope (4), and a lens system (3) arranged between the incoming end and the spectroscope (4) and/or between the spectroscope (4) and the liquid crystal optical switch (5). The liquid crystal optical switch (5) changes the light intensities of incoming spectral components for each wavelength and sends them out. The dynamic gain equalizer selectively controls the spectral components of specific wavelengths and equalizes the light intensities for the wavelengths without using a mechanical moving part such as a MEMS.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a measurement system to measure the position and/or movement of a substrate support relative to a reference frame. The measurement system includes a target mounted to one of the substrate support and the reference frame, a radiation source mounted to the other one of the substrate support and the reference frame and a sensor configured to detect a pattern of radiation propagating from the target, indicating the position or movement of the substrate support. The substrate support includes one or more gas outlets configured to provide a flow of gas that encapsulates the volume of space through which the beam of radiation propagates to the target.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for projecting, by exposure, a pattern of an original onto a substrate. The apparatus includes a light blocking device for blocking at least a portion of exposure light. The light blocking device includes two plate-like members which are disposed in a vertical direction with a clearance kept therebetween, and two plate-like members which are disposed in a horizontal direction with a clearance kept therebetween. The apparatus further includes a driving member for moving the light blocking device, wherein the driving member includes the stator, and a reaction force absorbing device for absorbing a drive reaction force of the driving member. The reaction force absorbing device absorbs the reaction force by moving the stator of the driving member.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a reflective element for reflecting and introducing light from a light source to a plate, at least one first driver for providing the reflective element with a force and/or a displacement in at least one directions, and at least one second driver for providing the reflective element with a force and/or a displacement in at least one directions, wherein the first and second drives are connected in series to each other.

Abstract: A liquid immersion lithography system including a projection optical system for directing electromagnetic radiation onto a substrate, and a showerhead for delivering liquid flow between the projection optical system and the substrate. The showerhead includes an injection nozzle and a retrieval nozzle located at different heights. The liquid flow is tilted relative to the substrate. A direction from the injection nozzle to the retrieval nozzle is tilted at approximately 1 to 2 degrees relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system configured to provide a beam of radiation and projection system configured to project the radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate. At least one of the illumination system and the projection system includes a focusing element for reflecting or refracting the beam. A plurality of stop discs is provided, each having an aperture therethrough, together with a disc positioner configured to place one of the stop discs adjacent the focusing element to control the numerical aperture (NA) of the projection system or illumination system. The apparatus further includes a disc changer configured to select one of the stop discs and provide the selected stop disc to the disc positioner, the disc changer being external to the projection system or illumination system.

Abstract: Improved gray scaling imaging methods and systems include a group of elements within an array of individually controllable elements that project a part of a radiation beam onto a lens in an array of microlenses, and are individually controllable so that any number of the individually controllable elements may be switched on or off to generate a gray scale.

Abstract: Light modulated by a spatial light modulator is projected onto photosensitive material and the photosensitive material is exposed to light in a predetermined pattern. The action of the spatial light modulator is controlled so that the amount of the light projected onto the photosensitive material is changed in at least two stages according to the part of the photosensitive material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exposure machine for printed circuit panels. The machine comprises: a support (26) for said panel (24); a moving artwork support (10) comprising a substantially rectangular frame (12) and a transparent plate (14) suitable for receiving said artwork; means (22) for establishing peripheral sealing; means for establishing suction in the volume; at least one deformable leaktight balloon (30, 32) disposed between said support and said transparent plate around at least a portion of said panel; and a source of gas under pressure at a pressure greater than the pressure of said suction for the purpose of feeding said balloon, thus that when suction is established in said volume, the periphery of said transparent plate presses against said balloon.

Abstract: In one method of compensating for the distortion of front-to-backside alignment optics, a displacement vector between the estimated position of a substrate mark and the actual position of a substrate mark is calculated. An optical correction array is also calculated by moving a reference substrate by a fixed amount and comparing how far an image of a point on the back side of a reference substrate moves to how far a corresponding point on the front side of the substrate moves. The displacement vector and optical correction array may then be used to accurately calculate the position of further substrates.

Abstract: A wavelength selecting method for selecting a wavelength of light, the light being used to detect a position of a target with a signal from an image of an alignment mark covered with resist, includes the steps of obtaining a reflectance of the resist at a position outside the alignment mark by irradiating lights having plural wavelengths to the resist at the position, and selecting one of the lights which one has a wavelength that provides the maximum value of reflectance among the reflectances measured by the measuring step or which one has a wavelength that falls within a predetermined wave range centering on the wavelength that provide the maximum reflectance.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an analysis device which can reproduce an image of an analysis object more accurately even when an analysis disc is an optical disc having the analysis object therein. A second pickup (106b) is provided for capturing and tracing a track on an analysis disc (201), and a first pickup (106a) is provided which is fixed at a constant distance (L) from the second pickup (106b) on the disc. A signal identical to the tracking signal of the second pickup (106b) is applied to a tracking actuator for driving the optical path of the first pickup (106a) in the radial direction of the analysis disc. A part of an analysis object (110) is traced and read while the position of the second pickup (106b) in the radial direction is controlled at times.

Abstract: A photoacoustic system with ellipsometer, where the ellipsometer includes a laser light source for generating an incident beam, an element for focusing the incident beam on a sample, a unit for measuring the change in amplitude of the incident beam on reflection and a unit for measuring the phase difference of the incident beam on reflection. The system further includes an element to convert an input narrow spectrum beam generated by the laser light source to a broadband sample measurement beam that is focused onto the sample.

Abstract: A system for measuring an index of refraction that has a light emitting diode and a plurality of reference fibers not in contact with a sample to be measured and that receive light from the light emitting diode. A plurality of sensing fibers with different-shaped plasmon sensors are in contact with the sample and receive light from the light emitting diode. Detectors sense an output of the light from the fibers. The sensing fibers can be arrayed in a planar arrangement, or in a bundle. A cylindrical lens can be used for directing light into the fibers. A plurality of light emitting diodes can be used, each directing its light output into a corresponding fiber. A ball lens can be used for directing the light into the reference fiber. A plurality of wavelength filters can be placed between the light emitting diode and the sensing fiber, and a wavelength of the light entering the fiber may be selected using the filters.

Abstract: Aspects include metrology methods and systems for determining characteristics of conical shaft portions, such as angle of taper. In an example, a metrology system includes a fixture for supporting a workpiece. The fixture provides for translation in a longitudinal dimension, and rotation about an axis of symmetry. The system may include a sensor mounted for scanning lines including sections of the workpiece as well as control logic for coordinating translation of the workpiece to provide for an approximately constant ratio of longitudinal translation and lines scanned during scanning operations. The system may include image logic for assembling an image from image data generated during each scanning operation; edge detection logic for detecting at least one edge shape in each assembled image; and slope calculation logic for calculating a slope of each of the at least one detected edge shape.

Abstract: A door obstacle sensor in which an optical transmitter and a receiver are located on the same side of an entranceway, and a retroreflector is placed on the opposite side. A controller measures the time of flight of a light beam that is reflected from the retroreflective target. All future target distances are compared to the initial distance, and a decision is made as to an object being present in or absent from the entranceway.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing information regarding a surface including a first plurality of optical elements arranged to acquire two dimensional information about a surface, a second plurality of optical elements arranged to acquire topographical information about the surface, wherein the first plurality and the second plurality of optical elements are arranged to simultaneously provide the two dimensional information and the topographical information to at least partially non-overlapping portions of a single sensor array.

Abstract: A method for measuring the wall thickness of plastic containers during a container manufacturing process includes providing a plastic container, the plastic container having a longitudinal axis and at least two side walls spaced radially from the longitudinal axis. The side walls are formed of a material that absorbs light energy in a predetermined molecular absorption band. Light energy is then directed from a source through the at least two side walls of the plastic container in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the plastic container. A portion of the light energy that passes through the sidewalls of the plastic container is sensed, and a signal representing a thickness of the sidewalls of the plastic container is generated from the sensed portion of the light energy.

Abstract: A method of exciting an optical transition in a narrowly limited area of a material comprising the steps of focusing an excitation light beam whose wavelength is tuned to the optical transition to be excited into a focal area extending beyond a focal point; splitting up a de-excitation light beam which is at least somehow influencing the optical transition into at least two partial beams; focusing the at least two partial beams of the de-excitation light beam out of different directions onto the focal point to form a spatially extending interference pattern in the focal area; adjusting a relative phase of the at least two partial beams of the de-excitation light beam so that the interference pattern has an intensity minimum at the focal point and a plurality of intensity maxima on different sides of the focal point; and aberrating the wave fronts of the at least two partial beams of the de-excitation light beam so that the intensity maxima of the interference pattern on different sides of the focal point are

Abstract: Optical systems that provide for simultaneous images and spectra from an object, such as a tissue sample, an industrial object such as a computer chip, or any other object that can be viewed with an optical system such as a microscope, endoscope, telescope or camera. In some embodiments, the systems provide multiple images corresponding to various desired wavelength ranges within an original image of the object, as well as, if desired, directional pointer(s) that can provide both an identification of the precise location from which a spectrum is being obtained, as well as enhancing the ability to point the device.

Abstract: An imaging device is provided which may include a plurality of imaging lenses. Each imaging lens may be placed adjacent to a dispersive element. The imaging lenses and dispersive element(s) may be placed adjacent to a focal plane array to allow light from a light emitting event traveling through the imaging lenses to be simultaneously received by the focal plane array. One of the optical channels provides continuous broadband imagery without interfering with the operation of the dispersive optical channels. No moving parts are required in this small compact system, and no reconfiguration during operation is necessary to enable any of the functions, they are all simultaneous. Information related to the light received by the focal plane array may be transmitted to a processor for processing to determine whether the light emitting event is of interest and to determine an event type. Broadband imagery provided may be used for situational awareness, targeting, and surveillance.

Abstract: A filter for use in a spectrometer to filter transmitted radiation and wherein the filter has a birefringent element responsive to an applied signal, a first polarizer for polarizing the radiation transmitted by a sample, a second polarizer for polarizing the radiation transmitted by the birefringent element, and wherein the birefringent element has a birefringent member having a first birefringence and the birefringent member being responsive to a force applied thereto to generate an additional second birefringence; and the filter having a driver for applying a force to the birefringent member in accordance with the applied signal, and the driver has a piezoelectric member coupled to the birefringent member on one end or at two opposite ends.

Abstract: An optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) 10 sequentially or selectively samples (or filters) a spectral band(s) 11 of light from a broadband optical input signal 12 and measures predetermined optical parameters of the optical signal (e.g., spectral profile) of the input light 12. The OSA 10 is a free-space optical device that includes a collimator assembly 15, a diffraction grating 20 and a mirror 22. A launch pigtail emits into free space the input signal through the collimator assembly 15 and onto the diffraction grating 20, which separates or spreads spatially the collimated input light, and reflects the dispersed light onto the mirror 22. A ?/4 plate 26 is disposed between the mirror 22 and the diffraction grating 20. The mirror reflects the separated light back through the ?/4 plate 26 to the diffraction grating 20, which reflects the light back through the collimating lens 18. The lens 18 focuses spectral bands of light (?1–?N) at different focal points in space.

Abstract: A system which detects droplets on a translucent surface having a camera which, upon activation, acquires an image of a portion of the surface. A radiation source, upon activation, illuminates the portion of the translucent surface while a control circuit selectively activates both the camera and the radiation source. A processor receives a captured image from the camera and, through image processing, generates an output signal representative of the number of droplets on the portion of the translucent surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sensing and measuring optically active material in a sample, comprising: a) a light source emitting light of a wavelength that can pass through the sample; b) a light transparent sample container for holding the sample; c) a linear polarizer interposed between the light source and the sample for producing a polarized light beam; d) a symmetrical linear split-field polarizer fixedly positioned to intercept the polarized light that passed through the sample; e) detectors to detect the split light beams passing through each polarizer of the split-field polarizer; f) means to amplify the current or voltage passing through each of the detectors; g) a differential amplifier; h) a data processor; i) a display; and j) electronic circuitry to operate the apparatus and provide an output on the display.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer, ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system with a spectroscopic source of wavelengths and a detector with multiple detector elements for simultaneous monitoring of a number of wavelengths in an environmental control chamber which optionally provides for secured sample entry, and methodology of use.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a thin film uses an energy beam, such as a laser beam, to remove a portion of a contaminant layer formed on the thin film surface. This cleaning operation removes only enough of the contaminant layer to allow analysis of the underlying thin film, thereby enhancing analysis throughput while minimizing the chances of recontamination and/or damage to the thin film. An energy beam source can be readily incorporated into a conventional thin film analysis tool, thereby minimizing total analysis system footprint. Throughput can be maximized by focusing the probe beam (or probe structure) for the analysis operation at the same location as the energy beam so that repositioning is not required after the cleaning operation. Alternatively, the probe beam (structure) and the energy beam can be directed at different locations to reduce the chances of contamination of the analysis optics.

Abstract: A radiation measurement device for determining a wavelength-related characteristic of radiation from a radiation source is provided. The device includes a wavelength-dependent optical element (e.g., bandpass filter), and an optical power-measuring detector (e.g., photodetector). At least one optical beam is incident onto a polarization-sensitive reflective and/or transmissive surface positioned along an optical path of the device, is transmitted by the wavelength-dependent optical element, and is received by the optical power-measuring detector along the optical path. The radiation measurement device further includes a linear polarizer placed along the optical path prior to the optical power-measuring detector.

Abstract: Each of two sensors, positioned to simultaneously detect electromagnetic radiation absorption along a path, is calibrated to define a unique response curve associated therewith that relates a change in voltage output for each sensor to a change in optical density. A ratio-of-responses curve is defined by a ratio of the response curve associated with the first sensor to the response curve associated with the second sensor. A ratio of sensor output changes is generated using outputs from the sensors. An operating point on the ratio-of-responses curve is established using the ratio of sensor output changes. The established operating point is indicative of an optical density. When the operating point is in the non-linear response region of at least one of the sensors, the operating point and optical density corresponding thereto can be used to establish an actual response of at least one of the sensors whereby the actual sensor output can be used in determining changes in the optical density.

Abstract: To measure the characteristics of the surface coating of a moving metal strip, such as the alliation level of a coating including zinc and iron, the product is exposed to the radiation of a radiative source with a predetermined wavelength directed orthogonally to the surface of the product and the energy reflected by the surface is measured also in a direction orthogonal to the surface so as to overcome reflectivity variations due to the morphological characteristics of the surface and these operations are performed with the help of off-the-shelf optical fibres previously stripped at their free ends of their normal optical focusing accessories so that they can be brought as near to each other as possible and placed parallel to each other.

Abstract: A process for the determination and correction of laser induced damages of the optical and electronic components within the beam path of a monitor module of a 193 nm excimer lasers is provided herein. Especially state of the art detectors like CCD cameras degrade under UV radiation. With a special correction of the sensitivity of each camera pixel this problem can be solved.

Abstract: A method for the rapid measurement of polarization dependent properties of an optical device under test uses a novel technique to generate light in four different polarization states in which each state is individually sensed at a different interference frequency. The device for executing this method includes a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (M-Z) having a reference arm and a signal arm. In the signal arm, a device called a “polarization state frequency multiplexer” (PSFM) splits the light into four ports, transforms each part into one of four predetermined polarization states and then combines the light in the different polarization states together. The combined light is then passed through the device under test and combined/interfered with the light propagating through the reference arm at the output of the M-Z interferometer.

Abstract: A measuring method for measuring a wave front of light, which has passed through a target optical system. The method includes the steps of dividing the light that passes the target optical system into a first wave front and a second wave front made by offsetting the first wave front by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction, obtaining information concerning an interference fringe using shearing interference with divided light, calculating a differential wave front between the first wave front and the second wave front by using the information concerning the interference fringe obtained in the obtaining step, and correcting the differential wave front based on the predetermined amount and a wave number in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A system for non-destructive inspection using laser profiling and an associated method are provided. The system includes a support surface, and at least one laser carried by the support surface and directed towards the workpiece at an oblique angle such that at least a portion of the workpiece is illuminated by the laser. The system also includes a camera carried by the support surface and capable of capturing reflections from the workpiece, as well as a translation device capable of traveling proximate to the workpiece. The support surface is coupled to the translation device such that the laser and the camera are capable of traveling along the workpiece. The system further includes a data acquisition system capable of communicating with the camera such that the data acquisition system creates an image indicative of at least a portion of the workpiece based on the reflections from the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a physical parameter of features on a substrate by illuminating the substrate with an incident light covering an incident wavelength range ??, e.g., from 190 nm to 1000 nm, where the substrate is at least semi-transparent. A response light received from the substrate and the feature is measured to obtain a response spectrum of the response light. Further, a complex-valued response due to the feature and the substrate is computed and both the response spectrum and the complex-valued response are used in determining the physical parameter. A direct approximate phase measurement is provided when the response light is transmitted light.

Abstract: An optical measuring device capable of improving the precision of detection of contamination on a protective glass is disclosed. With threshold values as large as 90%, 50%, 10% of a peak value of a scan signal, measured values Q90, Q50, Q10 of a dimension of a work to be measured are derived, respectively. It is determined whether a difference between the measured value Q90 and the measured value Q50 (or a variation of the measured value) is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value. (B)-(D) show the presence of contamination on the protective glass, equal to or larger than the reference value. (A) shows the absence of contamination, lower than the reference value. It is then determined whether a difference between the measured value Q50 and the measured value Q10 is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value. (D) shows the presence of thick contamination on the protective glass, equal to or larger than this reference value.

Abstract: If a presentation mode to print a presentation material and a distribution material is selected and the number of copies of printing of the distribution material is set, a printing job is issued from a computer to a printer in accordance with the setting. Thus, on the basis of printing data included in the issued printing job, the printer prints the data of each of plural pages on a one transparent recording sheet in color as the presentation material, and further prints the data of predetermined number of pages in monochrome for the number of copies of printing set so that the data of the predetermined number of pages are put on a one plane paper as the distribution material.

Abstract: In a printing system for documents, print orders are programmed by selecting image supports and settings for the printing process. Prior to programming a print order, settable process-directed properties can be assigned to a specific image support type by using an operating function. These properties may not be overridden in the programming of a print order. Example of such settable process-directed properties are: single-sided printing, and non-stapling.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus having an external interface and having a printer mode for printing out data received through the external interface and a facsimile mode for communicating image data through a line, comprises a detection unit for detecting occurrence of factor to operate as facsimie; and a unit normally set in the printer mode, for switching the mode from the printer mode to the facsimile mode in accordance with the detection by the detection unit.

Abstract: A print control method performs print processing in an optical operation mode that is automatically determined in response to a print request from an application program. The print control method queries a user about evaluation of print speed or the result of printing obtained in the print processing, and obtains a response to the query. When performing print processing in response to a later print request, the operation mode is determined based on the response. The print control method generates print data in intermediate condition which is not dependent on a particular page description language, and performs print processing based on the result of analyzing the print data.